Wisconsin Tuberculosis Program

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of the body, but they usually attack the lungs. People who are infected with TB do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB. If untreated, however, they may develop TB disease and be able to spread it some time in the future. People with TB disease can be treated and cured if they seek medical help. Even better, people who have TB infection but are not yet sick can take medicine so that they will never develop TB disease.